Artificial ground surface



,a mg j w Dec. 3, 1935. E. BURTON 2,023,307

ARTIFICIAL GROUND SURFACE Filed July 24, 1934 7. w l/l a a/w llwml w /l mw ll lI/l l a 5 -QEFBBELEHEIEEIEJELQBQQEIQBQQ EIIIJEIEIEIDEIEIUUDEJD I g UUUEJUDUUUUUU 2 IIIUEHIIEIEIEIEIDEI E IIIUIIHIIDDEJE] I IIIEJEIEIEIUDEI V M DUDEIEIEIE] ag EIUUEIUI] 4 EIUUDEIEI EIUIIIUD EIEHIIIIIII] E DUDE] DUDE] DUE] DUE! UEIIII i [3E] i INVENTOR 2a Z EDWARD BURTON ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE ARTIFICIAL GROUND SURFACE Application July 24, 1934, Serial No. 736,803 In Great Britain August 19, 1933 8 Claims.

This invention relates to artificial ground surfaces and more particularly to such a surface which simulates a grass covered surface and which is particularly, though not exclusively, adapted to be used for sports tracks, playing grounds and the like.

One object of the invention is to provide an artificial surface which will be suitable for running tracks for greyhounds and will not damage the feet of the dogs and reduce the danger of slipping during wet weather.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an artificial surface which will have good wearing properties and be in this respect superior to a natural grass covered surface, particularly in wet weather.

An artificial ground surface according to the invention comprises a rubber base having a studded upper surface, the studs being separated by intersecting channels and each carrying one or a plurality of upwardly protruding rubber stems.

In the accompanying drawing- Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a paving block constructed according to the invention, and

Figs. 2 and 3 show a side sectional elevation and an under side plan view respectively of the block shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail view in side elevation of one i of the blocks, and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of one of the blocks.

The paving block shown in the accompanying drawing comprises a base I of rubber, the upper surface of which is provided with intersecting channels 2, the channelsforming projecting studs 3. As the block is intended to be one of a plurality of similar blocks forming the surface, say, of a greyhound racing track, the channels are preferably arranged so that when the blocks are in position, the channels communicate for drainage of the surface. Each stud is provided with one or a plurality of solid rubber stems 4, the length and thickness of the stems being decided in consideration of the duty of the surface, whether for heavy or light wear. The under surface of the block is also formed with channels 2 larger than those in the upper surface. The blocks may be placed, for example, on a thin concrete surface and the lower channels in the blocks serve for drainage. The blocks may, of course, be laid on a surface of coke breeze or any other suitable surface. The block illustrated is formed with a core 5, shown in Fig. 2, of a material which is less resilient than that of the rubber forming the block proper. One core employed is constructed of a mixture of reclaimed rubber, resin and sawdust but it will be apparent that the core may be formed of any suitable material. The block as shown is provided with a base formed so as to present the appearance of two superimposed blocks mounted one on the other in staggered fashion. The projecting steplike portions l of the block are adapted to engage with correspondingly formed portions similar to the portions l in adjacent blocks, as will be readily understood. In this way efficient interlocking of the block is obtained and a well knit surface provided while laying of the surface is facilitated. The side blocks may be anchored in any suitable manner.

Manufacture of the blocks may be carried out by any suitable known means as by moulding.

It will be apparent that the artificial surface described above may be adapted to many analogous uses, such as indoor fiooring, roads, etc, as well as playing grounds.

Having thus described the nature of the said invention and the best means I know of carrying the same into practical effect, I claim:-

1. An improved artificial ground surface, particularly for tracks, playing grounds and the like, comprising a rubber base having a studded upper surface, the studs being separated by intersecting channels and each carrying at least one upwardly protruding rubber stem.

2. An improved artificial ground surface, as claimed in claim 1, in which the rubber base contains a core formed of material of a resiliency different from that of the rubber material forming the base.

3. An improved artificial ground surface, particularly for tracks, playing grounds and the like, comprising a plurality of interlocking paving blocks each comprising a rubber base having a studded upper surface, the studs being separated by intersecting channels and each carrying at least one upwardly projecting rubber stem, the base containing a core formed of material of a resiliency different from that of the rubber form with a rubber base having a studded upper surface, the studs being separated by intersecting channels and each carrying at least one upwardly protruding rubber stem, the rubber base containing a core of material of different resiliency from the rubber of the base.

6. An improved artificial ground surface, particularly for tracks, playing grounds and the like, comprising a plurality of interlocking paving blocks each comprising a rubber base having a studded upper surface, the studs being separated by intersecting channels and each stud carrying a plurality of upwardly projecting rubber stems.

7. An improved artificial ground surface, particularly for tracks, playing grounds and the like,

comprising a rubber base having a studded upper 5 surface, the studs being separated by intersecting channels and each stud carrying a plurality of upwardly projecting rubber stems.

8. An artificial ground surface according to claim 1 having intersecting channels in its under 10 surface.

EDWARD BURTON. 

